The Mozambican Air Force recently received a CASA C295 transport aircraft from Airbus, which will help strengthen the country's air transport capabilities. The new aircraft is intended to support the Mozambican army's efforts in Cabo Delgado province, where it has been fighting armed Islamist groups since 2017.

According to a Letter from Mozambique, quoting the portal Military Africa, The twin-engine turboprop aircraft, valued at around 50 million euros, was assembled at the factory in Seville, Spain, and can carry up to 70 passengers. The CASA C-295 is versatile and can be used for a variety of missions, including: airlifting troops, equipment and supplies to remote or hostile areas, transporting heavy loads, including vehicles, helicopters and other large loads, and providing intensive care and transportation for the wounded.

The C-295, when compared to its predecessor, stands out with its more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 engine, delivering 2,645 hp, a new propeller and a redesigned wing. Despite these significant improvements, efforts have been made to maintain as much similarity as possible between the two platforms.

In 2022, the Mozambican Armed Forces received two transport aircraft from the Paramount Group in South Africa. Paramount delivered a Let-410 Turbolet and a CN-235M transport plane to the Mozambican military. Air Force officials said the planes will be used to transport cargo and troops and deploy special forces and paratroopers.

A year later, Mozambique acquired a Mwari aircraft designed by Paramount. The Mwari is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft used for a variety of missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance and light attack.

(Photo DR)